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It is as fast as it looks

AUTOBAM
By Bam Santiago Olivares

01/19/2010

Just the roar from the exhaust system can command you to throttle down and fire away. The 2009 Suzuki GSX-R600 in orange and silver looks fast even when it is on idle speed. Suzuki developed this 600cc engine and claimed it is the most powerful 600cc engine they ever built.

A few years ago it began at racetracks far from Suzuki’s Hamamatsu, Japan headquarters. A team of dedicated engineers from Suzuki went on a fact-finding mission to observe motorcycles parked on spectator parking lots during race days and of course to watch the races. In these races the riders had no factory contracts and they competed with motorcycles they individually purchased. Just for the love of the sport and competition. The races were categorized by rider skill, allowable modifications and engine size. The starting grids for 1000cc machines were participated with GSX-R1000s, same thing with the 750cc category, rows of GSX-R750 lined up for the race. But the 600cc category had only a few GSX-R600 on the grid. The engineers then talked to riders, mechanics and the fans, noted down valid information. The engineers used stop watches to time riders running the track. When the engineers returned to Japan, it was clear that they had a goal, to rebuild the Suzuki GSX-R600 and to dominate the racetrack again.

The 2009 Suzuki GSX-R600 I tested had an overall length of 2040mm, width of 715mm, height of 1125mm and a wheelbase of 1400mm. The seat height of 810mm can accommodate an average Filipino height rider with confidence. The ground clearance of 130mm is enough for the quality of roads we have here. The engine fitted on the Suzuki GSX-R600 is a liquid-cooled 599cc inline-4 DOHC 16 valve with maximum power of 125hp/13,500rpm and maximum torque of 67.7nm/11,500rpm linked to a 6 speed gearbox. For superb stopping power a dual front 310mm-floating rotor disc with radial-mount calliper brakes and a single rear 220mm-rotor disc brake is standard. The front tire size of 120/70ZR17MC and rear tire of 180/55ZR17MC mounted on light and rigid curved 3-spoke alloy wheels that are specifically designed for the Suzuki GSX-R600. An increased fuel tank capacity of 17 liters is now standard but fuel level gauge is not available only a reserve light to warn the rider. The instrument cluster using a step-motor-controlled analog tachometer, digital LCD speedometer, LCD and LED indicators, including gear position indicator and shift light, is highly visible. The central (55watt) halogen projector low beam assisted by (60watt) halogen multi-reflector high beams on each side to provide better density to see whatever is in front of you.

During highway speeds and quick maneuvers the electronic steering damper stiffened at low speed the damping force was reduced. Compared to the previous Suzuki motorcycle I tested the Suzuki GSX-R600 with only 163kg (dry weight) is very light but stable. While riding whether it’s a straight away or a lean-in turn, I felt secured and could feel the motorcycles weight distributed in the right places. A slipper clutch is standard and made downshifting smooth and precise. What a great ride from Suzuki.

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